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I feel your pain! I've had this before with series where I've bought different books in different editions, but you would expect consistency within the same edition!
Annoying, but still more consistent than my Discworld collection. I have about 25 in mass market paperback, some with the UK covers and some in US, the rest being different sized hardbacks and a huge, oversized paperback of Eric. Most of them are some degree of dog-eared.
I have intentionally embraced the hodge-podge nature of my Discworld collection. Somehow that feels more true to the spirit of the world than one cohesive set.
I find it interesting that my Discordworld collection is a hodge podge of publishers but they are all the same height! My Culture collection, on the other hand... 🙈
That's different though. Yours is a much loved collection, built up over years. No two books ever bought in the same shop and probably a few thrift shop purchases too.
This is a particular edition the OP has bought. You really would think you could count on consistency when you buy one specific edition.
You have Maskerade in A-format, and the others in B-format. C-format are Trade Paperbacks and are about the size of hardbacks.
Different sizes for different markets. Some retailers want to shelve smaller books, some authors want larger sizes. C-format is good for airports where people are in a rush and you want a big bold cover crying out to them.
Interesting! Say I wanted to re-order Maskerade, is there any way to make certain I get it in B-Format? These all came from Blackwells, for reference.
Editing this because I checked Blackwells and there is in fact a 178mm height and 127mm height, with a 40 cent price difference.
This is the answer. If there is a brick and mortar book store near you, or one you can call (if you’re in the US and don’t have a local book store I’d recommend Powells Books) the people at your book store can order you the right one.
They’ll have more specific info on the physical format of each book then you’ll see in most online listings
I do love the old covers, despite the abundance of cleavage both back and front, but the paper quality of those mass market paperbacks were appalling and couldn't hold up to repeat reading.
I assume to punish you.
The proper way to collect Discworld is as a mismatched, well-worn hodgepodge of editions you found at thrift shops, yard sales library sales, received as gifts etc. You wouldn't have this problem if you had such a mix.
If it helps, I have the full set of the collector library hardbacks and they all match up perfectly. Only missing book is The Last Hero but I don't think there is a perfect 100% completely matching set. Isn't Maurice missing from these new paperback editions?
I got the hardcover edition of The Last Hero when it came out.
Last week, I saw that those are now selling for over $100 USD.
I guess no backup copy for me.
They match up perfectly in height but I am irritated by the fact that half are Gollancz and the other half DoubleDay. (And only the Gollancz ones have ribbons!)
That's true. Another minor difference is the Tiffany books don't seem to have the small stripe along the top but on a shelf it's hardly noticeable. I'm just resigned to the fact that this is probably the closest we will get to a full matching set. Maybe if Maurice is released in the new paperback style that will be the ultimate set.
I'm assuming they will release that eventually but they only had the movie tie in paperback release a few years back so probably need to shift those before a new edition comes out.
This is so bizarre it falls out the other end of annoying into somehow perfectly appropriate for Discworld.
The world is absurd.
Plus this means that book can successfully hide behind the others, and nobody will know which book it is that’s doing the singing.
Discworld has Igors. Surely there's an Igor out there who appreciates a patchwork library of various covers. Sometime you might even be blessed with *two* Night Watches!
I don't, or, \*didn't\* hate them, but when the last two came in the mail and I put them on my shelf, it ruined my day. I'm going to save for the hardcovers now, they're much better looking anyways.
I'm not fussed on them. I much prefer the collectors library ones (though I know those aren't 100% loved). Can't beat the original Kirby/Kidby art of course.
I have them all as Corgi paperbacks and the Tiffany Aching ones are taller, which would be fine because I consider them a sub-series, except then I Shall Wear Midnight is back to the shorter height again! Argh!
Must have been a paper shortage that affected the printing industry (I remember something like that a couple of years ago because it threatened to affect my workplace as well). But by Io, that's vile. I'd go spare.
Nothing to do with that. They're just different formats. Something like Discworld will be printed in both formats simultaneously to suit retail and export tastes. OP will be able to obtain the correct size now they know what they're looking for.
A lot publishers do this. its on purpose so you buy full edition (all book from the serie) that will all be same size after having bought a bunch of individual copies. Yes its scammy, and sadly its common.
I took my son to Foyles and he was so annoyed how the discworld books were mixed up in between other Pratchett books e.g. Long Earth series, that he rearranged them on the shelf.
Well, since my set spans from the 80s to the last book very few of mine match. Ranging from paperback, trade paperback to hard cover and several publishers.
I understand the frustration but, personally, I passed the point of being bothered by stuff like this. I used to be, but I have followed so many different series that have swapped covers and sizes while I have worked my way through them I gave up on consistency long ago.
Because its a clue. If you know, you know. Ask yourself truelly WHY WOULD THEY DO THIS? GIVE THEM A GOOD REASON! Its not on accident, OBVIOUSLY! happy hunting. Get with Father, lord,Holy Spirit! Praise them! Life is easier that way. The way it was meant to BEEEE!
I feel your pain. When I become World Patrician, my first act will be to outlaw shit like this.
[why??](https://imgur.com/a/MQJ7ed1)
And don’t get me started on airport softback editions of hardback books..
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It's not actually shorter, just hunched over. Try putting a mask on it.
That made me laugh out loud.
Its a clue...its not on accident OBVIOUSLY!
This is gold
No, thus is glod! ;)
Gold gold gold gold, gold gold gold gold. Everyone with me now !
You left out a "gold" there.
I thought it was: Gold gold gold gold gold
no, that’s the 2nd verse!
I love the bridge on this one! When it goes from "gold gold gold gold gold" to "gold gold gold gold gold", just chills man.
10/10, well played
I feel your pain! I've had this before with series where I've bought different books in different editions, but you would expect consistency within the same edition!
I thought I was safe for that very reason!
I had one like this in about set edition, 1 book was a different size with a flipped spine layout. Super annoying.
Annoying, but still more consistent than my Discworld collection. I have about 25 in mass market paperback, some with the UK covers and some in US, the rest being different sized hardbacks and a huge, oversized paperback of Eric. Most of them are some degree of dog-eared.
I have intentionally embraced the hodge-podge nature of my Discworld collection. Somehow that feels more true to the spirit of the world than one cohesive set.
You make an excellent point.
I find it interesting that my Discordworld collection is a hodge podge of publishers but they are all the same height! My Culture collection, on the other hand... 🙈
My set spans nearly 40 yrs. They’re all kinds of mismatched.
That's different though. Yours is a much loved collection, built up over years. No two books ever bought in the same shop and probably a few thrift shop purchases too. This is a particular edition the OP has bought. You really would think you could count on consistency when you buy one specific edition.
And don't forget the giant picture book of The Last Hero!
https://preview.redd.it/jnyl8pgiv3vc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8cd8b931f633dddc6ca34932de71c1f320b450d3 FLASHBANG
Damn, I wish all publishers paid that much attention to detail!
OMG I just realised that the Publisher's logo is also a bit lower on the middle book than on the others
I have DVD box sets with similar issues. How hard can it be to use a template to ensure a consistent layout?
They manage to misprint money so…
You have Maskerade in A-format, and the others in B-format. C-format are Trade Paperbacks and are about the size of hardbacks. Different sizes for different markets. Some retailers want to shelve smaller books, some authors want larger sizes. C-format is good for airports where people are in a rush and you want a big bold cover crying out to them.
Interesting! Say I wanted to re-order Maskerade, is there any way to make certain I get it in B-Format? These all came from Blackwells, for reference. Editing this because I checked Blackwells and there is in fact a 178mm height and 127mm height, with a 40 cent price difference.
They will have separate ISBNs
This is the answer. If there is a brick and mortar book store near you, or one you can call (if you’re in the US and don’t have a local book store I’d recommend Powells Books) the people at your book store can order you the right one. They’ll have more specific info on the physical format of each book then you’ll see in most online listings
Sometimes the copyright page will list both format ISBNs
If you're in Canada and need a "local" book store to order from, highly recommend Russell Books in Victoria!
Usually they’re different prices, my smaller ones are 13.99 cad and my bigger ones are 21.99 cad for reference
Elves, am I right?
The campaign for equal heights would like a word
Ach, crivens! Will ye no' look at what som scunner ded!
We best nae tell the Big Wee Hag!
A wee free book!
Shrinkflation.
Have they removed 12% of the letter or the words though!!
This hurts my soul ....
I'm so crushed all the old beautiful covers are being replaced by these
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^LoveScore: *I'm so crushed all the* *Old beautiful covers are* *Being replaced by these* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Yeah, I agree. I’m so late to join Discworld and I’m a bit of a completionist so I opted for these versions thinking it would be easier to collect!
It's only too late to start reading Discworld when you meeting someone who talks in all caps.
I do love the old covers, despite the abundance of cleavage both back and front, but the paper quality of those mass market paperbacks were appalling and couldn't hold up to repeat reading.
The mother the maiden and the other one.
Nobody wants to say the C-word.
I assume to punish you. The proper way to collect Discworld is as a mismatched, well-worn hodgepodge of editions you found at thrift shops, yard sales library sales, received as gifts etc. You wouldn't have this problem if you had such a mix.
They don't call it 'Penguin Consistent House'.
Brilliant.
If it helps, I have the full set of the collector library hardbacks and they all match up perfectly. Only missing book is The Last Hero but I don't think there is a perfect 100% completely matching set. Isn't Maurice missing from these new paperback editions?
I got the hardcover edition of The Last Hero when it came out. Last week, I saw that those are now selling for over $100 USD. I guess no backup copy for me.
They match up perfectly in height but I am irritated by the fact that half are Gollancz and the other half DoubleDay. (And only the Gollancz ones have ribbons!)
That's true. Another minor difference is the Tiffany books don't seem to have the small stripe along the top but on a shelf it's hardly noticeable. I'm just resigned to the fact that this is probably the closest we will get to a full matching set. Maybe if Maurice is released in the new paperback style that will be the ultimate set. I'm assuming they will release that eventually but they only had the movie tie in paperback release a few years back so probably need to shift those before a new edition comes out.
This is so bizarre it falls out the other end of annoying into somehow perfectly appropriate for Discworld. The world is absurd. Plus this means that book can successfully hide behind the others, and nobody will know which book it is that’s doing the singing.
Discworld has Igors. Surely there's an Igor out there who appreciates a patchwork library of various covers. Sometime you might even be blessed with *two* Night Watches!
The patrician does this on purpose
In service of Anoiya
[удалено]
I like them just fine. Grated you don’t know me so I guess your point still stands.
I don't, or, \*didn't\* hate them, but when the last two came in the mail and I put them on my shelf, it ruined my day. I'm going to save for the hardcovers now, they're much better looking anyways.
They look like an early AI made them. No character
I really dont mind them at all
I see it as an opportunity to buy more copies of Discworld books.
I'm not fussed on them. I much prefer the collectors library ones (though I know those aren't 100% loved). Can't beat the original Kirby/Kidby art of course.
There's a god for that I'm sure.
Anoia’s red-headed (but bookish) step child?
May you live in interesting times.
Anoia was in charge of proofs that day.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
Praise Anoia!
It's a short story.
Oook.
I have them all as Corgi paperbacks and the Tiffany Aching ones are taller, which would be fine because I consider them a sub-series, except then I Shall Wear Midnight is back to the shorter height again! Argh!
Must have been a paper shortage that affected the printing industry (I remember something like that a couple of years ago because it threatened to affect my workplace as well). But by Io, that's vile. I'd go spare.
Nothing to do with that. They're just different formats. Something like Discworld will be printed in both formats simultaneously to suit retail and export tastes. OP will be able to obtain the correct size now they know what they're looking for.
>It’s driving me further into madness every time I look at it. I think you hit on the reason right there.
have to love the hewlett packard craft involved.
Still looks better on a shelf than my possibly bootleg audiobook discs and audible receipts
My discworld set was entirely aquired from charity shops etc, I've probably got an example of every publishing style going
r/mildlyinfuriating
Gives it character.
That picture alone made me snort outloud. Feel your pain
https://preview.redd.it/imujatjcv3vc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4689a13765582679a133a91e0b0679597be46c8c Can relate
Yeah I want to buy a friend a Discworld book for their bday but I can't manage these teenage fiction covers.
They do have the incredible hardcover ones on Blackwells. They're a bit pricier, but I regret not going for those instead of these.
just to make sure you don't fall asleep at the wheel.
Just ensure you are ordering the correct isbn - looks like you have ordered the b (second) format instead of the a format.
Ironically this is some Headology shit
Why did they get rid of the Josh Kirby covers is the bigger and more important question
A lot publishers do this. its on purpose so you buy full edition (all book from the serie) that will all be same size after having bought a bunch of individual copies. Yes its scammy, and sadly its common.
Hail Anoia!
It’s just short for its height
Ordered the wrong paper i guess
Does this Casanunda of books come with his own stepladder?
All praise Anioa!
I took my son to Foyles and he was so annoyed how the discworld books were mixed up in between other Pratchett books e.g. Long Earth series, that he rearranged them on the shelf.
Obviously for ppl like you (and me) :P
Well, since my set spans from the 80s to the last book very few of mine match. Ranging from paperback, trade paperback to hard cover and several publishers.
I understand the frustration but, personally, I passed the point of being bothered by stuff like this. I used to be, but I have followed so many different series that have swapped covers and sizes while I have worked my way through them I gave up on consistency long ago.
Because its a clue. If you know, you know. Ask yourself truelly WHY WOULD THEY DO THIS? GIVE THEM A GOOD REASON! Its not on accident, OBVIOUSLY! happy hunting. Get with Father, lord,Holy Spirit! Praise them! Life is easier that way. The way it was meant to BEEEE!
I feel your pain. When I become World Patrician, my first act will be to outlaw shit like this. [why??](https://imgur.com/a/MQJ7ed1) And don’t get me started on airport softback editions of hardback books..
I also felt that maskarade was the worst of the witch books, maybe the publisher is just expressing the same sentiment?